Each year in January, before the rush of Valentine's Day mailings, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issues a new “LOVE” stamp. This year’s design began when art director Antonio Alcalá made a rough sketch of a heart-shape formed by the word "forever." Poetically, the concept suggests the enduring power of love. More prosaically, it represents how long the stamp can be used to send a one-ounce, first-class letter. Jessica Hische interpreted the assignment perfectly, turning the concept sketch into several beautiful renderings ranging from complex to less ornamental. The selected design creates a satisfying balance of intrigue (finding the word within the heart) and reward (seeing "forever" and the heart as a single message of love).